Seattle

Seattle

Population

2010: 608,660, #23 in U.S., #1 in Washington

1950:
467,591, #19 in U.S.

2010
Metropolitan Area: 3,439,809, #15 in U.S.

1950 Metropolitan Area: 732,992, #19 in U.S.

Setting

Seattle,
on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, had its first permanent settlement in 1851
and was incorporated as a city in 1869. Today it is a major port, and the
Washington State Ferries serve Seattle and many other communities and islands
in the area. Pioneer Square is a historic neighborhood at the south end of downtown.

There
are observation decks on three Seattle structures: the Columbia Center, on the
73rd floor;the Space
Needle (605 feet), which was built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair; and the
Smith Tower (462 feet), which was the tallest building on the West Coast from
the time it was built in 1914 until the Space Needle was built.

The
Seattle Mariners of the American League play at Safeco Field (1999). The NFL Seattle Seahawks play at CenturyLink Field (2002). Key Arena (1962, renovated 1995), at the Seattle Center, has sporting events and concerts.